1990 Lexus LS 400 Engine Oil Capacity
A 1990 Lexus LS 400 has an engine oil capacity of 5.3-quarts. Plus, changing your car’s oil is an easy at-home maintenance project!
Written by Annette Maxon
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
Keep your 1990 Lexus LS 400 in top condition by staying on top of one of the most important
maintenance tasks
—engine oil changes. To do a DIY oil change, you’ll need to know the oil capacity, type of engine oil, and these simple steps. The 1990 Lexus LS 400 was the model that set Lexus up for success. Though over 30 years old, this classic is beloved by car enthusiasts still today for its superior mechanics and comfortable rides. If you have one of these cherished models on your hands, your biggest concern is likely keeping this old car in working order.
One of the easiest ways to keep your LS 400’s engine clean is by staying on top of regular maintenance and
car repair
, especially engine oil changes. That’s why the super app for car insurance, Jerry
, created this helpful guide covering the 1990 Lexus LS 400 oil capacity, the oil type to buy, and steps for changing the oil and fuel filter. We'll even show you how to save on Lexus LS 400 car insurance costs
!1990 Lexus LS 400 engine oil capacity
This 1990 Lexus model features a 250-horsepower 4.0-liter V8 engine that needs 5.3-quarts (equal to 5-liters) of oil.
It’s important not to confuse this number with the liter amount listed in the model’s engine type—the 4.0-liters is the engine displacement or the volume occupied by the cylinders. In contrast, the engine oil capacity is the amount of oil needed for each oil change.
Most importantly, know that these numbers are not interchangeable! Confusing them may result in filling your LS 400 engine with the wrong amount of engine oil.
Are you overpaying for your car insurance?
Compare quotes and find out in 45 seconds.
4.717k Ratings5M+Drivers Joined
7M+Cars Garaged
What kind of oil does a 1990 Lexus LS 400 need?
Lexus recommends using 5W-30 genuine motor oil in your LS 400. Now, you’re probably wondering what this means. Here’s how to decode the oil weight:
- 5 indicates that this motor oil retains its viscosity even at 0°F
- W stands for “winter” to indicate that the oil is safe to use in cold-weather climates
- 30 indicates the highest temperature the oil can exist at while still keeping a stable viscosity, in this case, 212°F and above
As long as your motor oil is the recommended weight, you can buy it knowing it’s safe to use in a 1990 Lexus LS 400 engine. This applies to synthetic motor oils, too! So, understand that any 5W-30 synthetic motor oil is fair game.
- Owner's manual recommendation:SAE 5W-30
MORE: How to make your car last longer
Compare insurance quotes from 50+ insurance companies with Jerry in under 45 seconds
Compare insurance quotes from 50+ insurance companies with Jerry in under 45 seconds
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversHow often to change the oil on a 1990 Lexus LS 400
You’ve probably heard that one of your car's most crucial maintenance tasks is staying on top of regular
oil changes
. But how do you know when it’s time for this routine change?Our answer? Follow the manufacturer’s recommendation and change the engine oil in a 1990 Lexus LS 400 every 6,000 to 7,500 miles. Though this is an extensive range, it’s good practice to check your engine oil regularly. That way, you know when you’re due for an oil change (i.e., try checking the oil level every other refuel or monthly).
Another way to tell that you’re overdue for an oil change are these tell-tale signs:
- The engine is making unusual noises
- Oil, smoke, or burning odors become noticeable
- Decline or other changes in the car’s performance
- Dark gritty oil, clean oil is light amber and translucent
How to change your oil and oil filter
When you’re ready to change the engine oil of your LS 400, make sure you have the right tools and equipment on hand. Grab a socket wrench, drain pan, filter wrench (this tool removes the oil filter), replacement filter, and 5.3 quarts of 5W-30 oil.
After gathering your tools, kick off the process by running the car’s engine until it reaches normal operating temperature. Depending on the weather, this will take about 5 minutes under normal conditions and longer if it’s cold outside. Then, turn the engine off and pop the hood before following these steps:
- Unscrew and remove the oil fill cap
- Slide underneath the car to access the drain bolt and washer—position the drain pan directly beneath the drain to catch the dirty oil
- With the drain pan in place, use the socket wrench to unscrew the drain bolt and washer—let the oil drain into the pan
- Grab the filter wrench and use it to remove the old oil filter; let the oil continue to drain out of the engine
- Install the new engine oil filter
- Return the drain bolt to its spot and tighten it to 29 lb-ft with a new washer
- Crawl out from under the car to access the oil fill opening—fill with oil to the maximum engine oil capacity
- Use the dipstick to check the engine oil level
- Once you’ve filled to the 5.3-quart capacity, screw the fill cap back into place
Turn the car on to check your handy work! The dashboard oil pressure light should turn off, and look for leaks. You may have incorrectly installed a bolt or filter if you notice a leak.
After changing your oil, it’s a good idea to turn on your car and let your engine run for about 30 seconds before you check the oil level. This will give you a more accurate measurement, and you’ll be able to top it off if necessary.
Last but not least, make sure you clean up and safely dispose of the dirty oil. Never dump the oil on the ground or in the garbage bin. Instead, pour the oil into a sealable container and drop it off at a local recycling center.
Don’t forget regular insurance policy maintenance
Staying on top of your vehicle’s regular maintenance can be hard. From oil changes to tire rotation, transmission fluid refills, and swapping out the air filter, maintenance for your auto insurance policy can easily be forgotten.
But, like with other maintenance tasks, regularly reviewing your
auto insurance
is essential in saving you money in the long run. That’s why Jerry
, the super app
, is here to automate your insurance price maintenance so that you never miss out on coverage deals. As a licensed broker and No. 1-rated app for car owners,
Jerry
partners with 50+ name-brand insurance providers to help you find the best car insurance. As a result, you can choose and sign up for a new insurance plan in less than a minute. And every time your policy comes up for renewal, Jerry will do a quick market analysis to ensure you're still getting the best deals for your car. With this level of service, you can cross off insurance maintenance from your to-do list of car care tasks!
“You must get this app! It’s my first time getting my own insurance, so I called a few companies myself. Their rates priced me around $600/month. I usedJerryand my rates went down to $250/month. I’m so happy!” —Melissa C.
Jerry sends free alerts to keep your car up-to-date so you can avoid costly repairs
* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score
Get ahead of my car maintenance
* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score
Estimate your repair costs for free with GarageGuard™
Simplify your car maintenance with Jerry.
4.7You might also be interested
We value your privacy
